The second meeting of a joint committee negotiating a regional deal for Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes with central government was abruptly adjourned yesterday (Monday August 18) amid debate over conducting much of the discussion behind closed doors.

The committee, which includes representatives from Otago Regional Council (ORC), Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), and Central Otago District Council (CODC), conducted most of its meeting - including a general progress update - with members of the public excluded, citing legal provisions under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act. 

ORC councillor Alexa Forbes questioned the move, expressing concerns about transparency and councillor involvement.

“We have got to take our councillors with us, and I think we are absolutely risking that by not doing so,” she said.

“I won’t be supporting public excluded under those circumstances...I want to know how our process is transparent, as we are required to be.” 

In response, QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen noted the committee had yet to meet directly with government negotiators but expectations had been laid out regardless.  

“It’s very clear from the government around the need for explicit confidentiality,” he said, emphasising it was up to the committee to manage risk and the potential liability if confidential information was disclosed. 

Queenstown Lakes mayor Glyn Lewers strongly countered Alexa’s objections, suggesting she represented “a very minority view” of elected members “that don’t want this to go ahead and are just trying to undermine it”.

“I’m just trying to be very clear about that.” 

Others around the table also urged moving forward, while acknowledging Alexa’s call for transparency and buy-in. 

Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley stressed the importance of proceeding while keeping councils engaged, noting the process is untested and “we have to tread this journey very carefully, recognising that things could be undone if we get back to our respective tables and don’t have the support that we need”. 

Queenstown Lakes councillor Lyal Cocks said he worried at this early stage not following confidentiality protocols could jeopardise progress. 

When the committee moved to vote on closing the remainder of the meeting to the public, Alexa voted against the motion.  

A staff member noted the committee operates on consensus, prompting Alexa to call for continued debate.

Glyn insisted it was a majority vote, based on QLDC standing orders the committee adheres to, and the meeting should proceed.  

Chair Gretchen Robertson, an ORC councillor, adjourned the meeting, sending it offline and out of public view. 

When the committee reconvened, the motion was re-tabled, passed unanimously, and the meeting continued in public excluded session. 

Gretchen said the committee will share as much information as possible without compromising negotiations.  

“We always wish to be transparent and robust and act underneath the law,” she said, thanking Alexa for raising her concerns.

“With every agenda item, we will reconsider and we will weigh up. We will look at the legal situation on this every single time.”

The regional deal is intended to coordinate priorities across Otago councils and central government. 

Broad focus areas, agreed upon at an inaugural meeting of the committee last month, include capturing value through bespoke settings, local visitor levies, mining royalties, and affordable housing pipelines; transforming transport infrastructure; electrifying Otago Central Lakes; integrating private investment with public health; and supporting visitors and investors.  

In early July, the region was one of the first to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to begin negotiating a deal, alongside Auckland and Western Bay of Plenty.

Each deal will be based on a 30-year vision to be implemented through a 10-year strategic plan.

The government has signalled it intends to finalise the first of the three deals by the end of the year.

Read more: Visitor Levy, Affordable Housing Top Regional Deal Priorities

PHOTOS: Supplied